Metallic railway tie



D. S. MUCKLEY METALLIC RAILWAY TIE March 17, 1925. 1,530,008

Filed Oct. 25, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 lNVENTOR ATTORNEYS March 17, 1925.

D. s. MUCKLEY METALLIC RAILWAY TIE Filed Oct. 25 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 and ATTORNEYS 10 INVENTOR Patented Mar. 17, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DWIGHT s. MUGKLEY; or'zro-mvs'rown, PENNSiiLVANIA, Assrenoa T BETHLEHEM STEEL COMPANY, A CORPORATION or PENNSYLVANIA.

METALLIC RAILWAY TIE.

Application filed 0etober 23, 1923. Serial No. 670,259.

To all whom it may concern: Be it known that I, DWIGHT S. MUOK'LEY,

a citizen of the United States, and residing at 'Johnstown, county .of Cambria, State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Metallic Railway Ties, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to metallic ties for railroads and it has for its object to provide apparatus of this character which shall be positions by any suitable striking means,

such as a sledge har'nmerythereby avoiding the necessity for special tools and requiring but little skill on the part of-the operator...

A further object of my invention is to provide a metallic railway tie having fixed and movable rail-engaging clips adjacent to each end thereof the movable rail-engaging clips being arranged for engagement with the inside of one rail and with the outside of the other rail, whereby, upon disengagement of the clips with respect to the rails, the tie .may be moved longitudinally to an extent sufiicient to disengage the fixed clips and then moved downwardly to an extent sufficient to permit of the tie being pulled out longitudinally beneath the rails.'

A further object of my invention is to provide a railway tie having movable rail-engaging clips which'havethe rail-engaging portions thereof offset with respect to their pivots to permit of the clips bein readily driven into firm engagement with a rail flange.

A further object of my invention is to provide'a metallic railway tie having pairs of rail-engaging clips, the clips of each pair having outwardly ofiset rail-engaging portions so that opposed edges of the rail-engaging portions of a pair are arranged relations and passing through the axes of the pivots of the respective clips of a pair, whereby the clips of a pair may be readily driven in engagement with a rail from the tively close to normals to the engaging por-' outer sides of the rail-engaging portions thereof. i A further object of my invention is to pro- ;vi'de a process of manufacturing clips having offset rail-engaging portions which conslsts 1n providing a. bar of suitable cross- .sectlon and in severing the-bar transversely to provide clips having offset rail-engaging portions.

1 These and other objects are accomplished by my invention as disclosed in the following description and asiillustrated in the drawings, accompanying and forming a part of this application and in which like reference 4 characters indicate like parts.

fings In the draw-' .Figure 1 is a planview showing, one form of my improved railway tie;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a plan view of a second form of tie made in accordance with my invention;

Figure 4 is a plan view of a third form of my improved tie' Figure 5 is a fragmentary. view of a further modified form of my improved railway tie;

Figure 6 isa fragmentary sectional view on anenlarged scale and showing the relation of fixed andmovable clips with respect to a rail; c

Figures 7 and 8 are fragmentary-views showing how a bar of metal of suitable crosssection may be severed to provide right and left hand ofi'set rail-engaging portions;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary View showing a bar of metal with lines of transverse severance to provide offset portions at each end thereof;

Figure 10 is 'a view similar to Figs. 7, 8 and 9 but showing a further form of clips;

Figure 11-is a sectional detail view showing a clip of the type indicated in Figure 9;

Figure 12 is a detail view showing my improved movable clip having one end portion thereof ofiset';

Figures 13 and 14 are detail views which indicate the importance of having the railengaging portions offset 3 and Figure 15 is a detail view showing a clip having each end ofi'set as indicated in Fig-10. In some types of railway construction, particularly those of a light character such as found in mines and in construction work, it is desirable to have the rails readily attachable and detachable with respect to the ties. It is also desirable to have the ties firmly secured to the rails as the assembled rail and tie construction is frequently moved without dismantling; To these ends, I provide a metallic railway tie which is provided with novel rail-engaging clips, the cl ps having offset rail-engaging portions so that they may be readily driven into firm engagement with a rail flange by means of a hammer, each'clip being pivoted at an intermediate. point so as to provide a tail portion opposite to the rail-engaging portion, whereby a clip may be readily moved out of rail-engaging position by the application of the blows of a hammer to the tail portion. Ready removal of the tie is permitted by having the clips at the ends thereof engage the inside of a rail at one end and the outside of a rail at the other end, whereby, upon disengagement of the clips, the tie may be moved longitudinally to disengagelthe fixed rail-engaging lugs or clips and then forced downwardly to permit of the passage of the clips beneath the rails and the withdrawal of a tie.

Referring now to the drawings for a better understanding of my invention, I show a metallic railway tie 10 of any suitable type ":having rail-engaging lugs or clips 11 of a well-known type and my improved form of clips 12 arranged oppositely to the clips 11;

. Each of the clips 12 comprises an offset end portion 13 adapted to engage a flange 14 of. a rail to hold the latter in place with re-' spect-to the clipsll. The offset portion is provided with a portion 15, as may be seen from Figure 2, which abuts one edge of the rail flange 14 and with a flange portion 16 which overlaps the rail flange. Each clip 12 is pivoted to a tie 10 by means of a rivet 17 which passes through a suitable aperture arranged midway of the ends of a clip. By pivoting the clipsat intermediate points, I provide for tail portions 18 arranged oppositely to the offset rail flange-engaging por- 'tions, the tail portions being preferably provided with upset end portions or flanges 19.

One edge 20 of the offset portion 13 of each clip is arranged relatively close to the normal to the abutting surface'15 and passing through the axis of the pivot 17, whereby the'clip may be readily turned about its axis and forced into firm abutting engagement with one edge of a rail flange 14. Due to offsetting, the distance from the axisofthe pivot 17 to the terminus of the abutment surface 15 adjacent to the edge 20 is but negligibly greater than the length of the normal from the axis of the pivot to the abutting surface. Engagement of the clips with a flange is readily effected by the application of the blows of a'hammer to the edge 21 of the offset portion opposite to the edge 20.

Disengagement of a cli is brou ht about by striking the tail portion 18 of t e clip at the same side. Engagement and disengagement of the clips is simple in that they are struck at the same side for both purposes and natural in that the high portion is struck for engagement, whereby but little skill is required and the necessity for special tools is avoided, an ordinary sledge hammer being sufficient. U

In Figure 1, I showa tie 10 which is provided with pairs of cooperating clips 12, in which case the offset portions 13 are offset in opposite directions so as to permit of the clips being hammered into place and out of engagement with a rail flange from the outer sidesof'the clips of a pair.

Figure 3 shows a tie 10 having a single movable clip 12 at each end.

In Figure 4, I show a rail-engaging means, 7

lugs or clips 11, arranged to engage the outside flange of one rail and to engage the inside fiange of the other rail while my improved clips 12 are arranged to engage the other flanges of the respective rails. With a tie of thistype fastened in position with respect to the rails, it will be apparent that the clips may be disengaged by the application of the blows of a hammer to the tail portions thereof,- whereupon the tie 10 may be moved longitudinally a sufficient distance for the lugs or clips 11 to pass by the ed es of the rails, whereupon the tie 10 iscisplaced downwardly and then removed longitudinally beneath the rails. In this connection it will be noted that the pivot rivet 17 and the pivot opening in the clip 12 are at a sufiicient distance from the rail flange and the offsetting is such that when the clip is turned to a disengaging position there is sufficient clearance between the offset edge 20 and the adjacent edge of a rail to permit of longitudinal movement of a tie 10 in order to disengage the lugs 01' clips 11.

Figure 5 shows a tie 10 having inte ral lugs or clips 22 arranged oppositely to c nos 12. The movable clips 12 of the tie shown in this view are operated in a manner similar to those heretofore described and a further description thereof is unnecessary.

If pairs of movable clips are used for engagement with a rail flange, as indicated 1n Figures 1, 4 and 5. it is necessary to provide tions offset oppositely to the flange-engaging portions of the first clips in order that clips of this type may he used in pairs and such clips be engaged and disengaged by tapping with a hammer at the outside edges of the clips of a pair. In Figures 10 and I show a further modified form of clip which is reversible.

The clip shown in these views is pivoted at an intermediate point 17 and it is provided with flange-engaging portions 16 at each end which are offset in the same di rection with. respect to the pivot. It will be obvious that a pair of clips of this type may be so arranged that the offset portions engaging a rail flange extend outwardly so that they may be engaged with a rail flange by tapping the outside edges with a hammer. This will be clear from Figure 15 wherein it will be seen that if theclips 12 are turned 180 it will have the flange-engaging portion16' offset in the other direction.

The desirability or necessity for offsetting the flange-engaging portion of a movable clip will be clear from a consideration of Figure 13 wherein I show a clip12" pivoted at 17" and which has straight sides 20", a rail flange abutting surface 15, and an overlapping flange 16" for a rail flange.

As the distance. from the axis of the pivot 17 to one end of the abutting surface 15 is greater than the normal or shortest distance between said axis and said surface, it will be obvious that considerable deformation or givingof the clip and of the rail flange is necessary in order that the clip may be driven to its final position; and, such deformation may be so excessive as to result in a fit which is somewhat loose after the clip reaches its normal position. Referring now to Figure 12, it Will be seen that the clip 12 has an ofiset portion 13 in order to provide for an edge 20 whichinclude's one end of the abutting surface 15 and which is arranged so close to the normal to the abutting surface 15 and passing through the axis of the pivot 17 that very little, if any, relief of compression takes place as the clip approaches its normal or engaged position for the reason that the distance from the axis of the pivot 17 to the endof the abutting surface 15 at the edge 20 is' but little greater than the normal distance from the pivot 17 to the abutting surface 15. The slightly longer distance between the pivot 17 and the end of the abutting surface 15 adjacent to the edge 20 than the normal dis tance betwen the axis of the pivot is desirable for the reason that, due to the inherent elasticity of the material the. clip may be caused to snap into place and be firmly held against accidental disengagement.

Although from the standpoint of design. the construction of clip having an offset end is desirable in order to provide a clip having adequate strength, it will be obvious that in accordance with my invention, a clip might be made in which the pivot is offset with respect to the clip. For example, in

Figure 14, I show a clip 12" having an offset pivot 17. in order to provide a construction in which the distance from the axis of the pivot 17" to the end of the abutting surface 15" adjacent to the edge 20" shall be only slightly in excess of the normal distance between the axis of the pivot 17 and the abutting surface 15"2 The movable clips hereinbefore referred to are of such a design that they lend themselves to a very economical process of production. For example, the forms of clips shown in Figures 1 to 8, inclusive, and 12 may be cut from a metal bar which has been rolled to provide a tail flange 19, and over-4 5 overlapping flanges 16 and abutting surfaces 15 at each edge. LikeWise the reversible form of clip shown in Figures 10 and 15 may be produced from a bar of metal which is rolled to provide overlapping flanges 16 provide clips having right no and rail flange abutting surfaces 15' at each edge. The latter form of clip is severed to provide flange-engaging portions at each end which are offset to one side of the axis" of the pivot 17 The advantage of the construction shown in Figures 10 and 15 is that it is necessary to manufactureonly one type of clip in order to provide for the various tie constructions referred to.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that I have provided a which has movable clips to allow for ready removal of a tie from a rail or the ready, securement of a tie to a. rail, the cl'ps being so designed that they engage a rail flange firmly throughout the --width of While at the same time a strong design of clip is preserved. Each' of my improved movable rail engaging clips consists of a strip of metal which is of substantially unimetallic railway tie the clip, 1151,;

form normal width from end to end. Each of'these clips includes a rail-engaging portion and an inclined portion jointed thereto, whereby the pivot may be located substantially midway of the Width of the clip and have its axis arranged near to the normal of construction of movable clip, such clip is of such a type as to lend itself to a very economical process of production. The clips are made by punching and severing a rolled bar of suitable cross section.

While I have shown my invention in a plurality of forms, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible/of various other changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are imposed by the priorart or as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

2 1. A railway tieconstruction comprising,

a tie member and means carried thereby for engaging rail flanges including pivoted clips and each pivoted clip-consisting of a member having a flange-engaging portion provided with an abutment to abut against a flange edge and a portion inclined with respect to the flange-engaging portion in combination with a pivotconnected to the tie member and having a pivotal connection with the member at a region of the latter' spaced from the flange-engaging portion by said inclined portion.

2. A railway tie construction comprising a tie member and means carried thereby for engaging rail flanges including pivoted clips and each pivoted clip consisting of a metallic member havingo flange-engaging and tail portions disposed in ofl'set parallel relation and connected by an inclined portion -in combination with a pivot connected to the tie member and having a pivotal connection with the member at a region of the latter spaced from the flange-engaging portion by said inclinedportion,

ing portion by said inclined portion.

3. A railway tie construction comprising a tie member and means carried thereby for engaging rail flanges I including pivoted clips and each pivoted clip consisting of a metallic member having an end portion upset to provide a rail flange edge engaging surface and a rail flange overlapping part and an inclined portion joined to the upset 5 portion in combination with a pivot connected to the tie member and having a pivotal connection with the member at a region of the latter spaced from the flange-engag- 4. The combination with a railway tie having fixed rail-engaging means carried thereby, of pairs of pivoted rail-engaging clips arranged adjacent to the ends of the tie and in opposed relation with' respect to said fixed rail-engaging means, the clips of each pair being pivoted at intermediate points and having the rail-engaging portions thereof ofi'set in opposite directions so that the inside edges of the rail-engaging portions of a pairof clips may be nearer to the pivots for the respective clips than the outslde edges thereof.

5. The combination with a railway tie having fixed rail-engaging clips carried thereby, of movable rail-engaging clips arranged oppositely to said fixed clips and adapted to cooperate with the latter to grip the flange portions of a rail, each movable clip including off-set, rail-engaging and tail portions connected by a diagonal portion, and pivots connected to the tie and engaging the respective gnovable clips adjacent to the junctions of the tail and diagonal portions.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature this thirteenth day of October,

DWIGHT S. MUCKLE Y. 

